Pierce County is offering four workshops next month to help local residents navigate the Affordable Care Act, which takes effect next year and is expected to significantly change the health care landscape.

The workshops, entitled Deciphering the Affordable Care Act, will provide a comprehensive overview of the Affordable Care Act, the basic provisions that consumers will notice, and how to get personal, one-on one help in choosing the best insurance plan and benefit from available subsidies to help reduce the cost.

The workshops will be held on Mon., Nov. 4, from 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex Main Meeting Room, located at 2401 S. 35th St., in Tacoma; Mon., Nov. 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Sound View Building, located at 3602 Pacific Avenue, in Tacoma; Tues., Nov. 5, from 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., at the County-City Building Rainier Conference Room, located at 930 Tacoma Ave. S., 7th Floor, in Tacoma; and Tues., Nov. 5, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Sound View Building, located at 3602 Pacific Avenue, in Tacoma.

“The Affordable Care Act has much to it,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Understanding the Affordable Care Act and its many provisions is important if people are going to benefit from it fully. Even if people have their own insurance through work or Medicare, it would be important to know what is and is not part of the Act.”

Deciphering the Affordable Care Act will be presented by the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center. The workshop offers the opportunity for participants to ask questions about their own situation and how to connect with In-Person Assisters in Pierce County. The workshop is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required. For details, call the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600.